Media Releases

LABOR TO APPOINT FIRST EVER NSW CHIEF ENTREPRENEUR

March 12, 2019

A Daley Labor Government will appoint the State’s first ever Chief Entrepreneur to put NSW at the top of the table when it comes to innovation.

A lack of strategy and leadership around innovation, new jobs and emerging industries from the Government has left NSW behind other states on the innovation front.

The Chief Entrepreneur will follow the successful model implemented by the Queensland and South Australian Labor Governments.

“The Chief Entrepreneur will come from outside Government and report to the Premier and the Minister for Innovation on the progress of innovation in NSW, as well as any obstacles within Government that stifle new ideas, new jobs and new markets,” said Yasmin Catley, Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation.

The Chief Entrepreneur will head up Enterprise NSW, a new unit that will work across agencies to ensure the NSW public service is ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation in government.

The Chief Entrepreneur will also work with the private sector, TAFE’s and universities to create an economic and social climate conducive to new ways of doing business and creating jobs.

Yasmin Catley said the current Minister Matt Kean is missing in action on innovation in NSW.

Labor accused the Government of largely seeing innovation as inner city, with the focus squarely on a 10 kilometre radius of the Sydney CBD. Labor will establish regional innovation districts, overseen by innovation councils, in regions like Western Sydney, the Central Coast and the Illawarra.

“Areas like the Central Coast and the Hunter are engine rooms of our economy– they are renowned for their ingenuity and have a key role to play in a future NSW economy,” said David Mehan MP, Member for The Entrance, home to the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus.

“Regional hubs in areas like the Central Coast are going to benefit hugely through increased investment in universities, a rebuilt TAFE system, and new and innovative businesses.

“New technologies and innovation will mean creating jobs for future generations. Those jobs should be here on the Central Coast and across the regions – not just within 10km of the Sydney CBD.”

Labor will also expand on its maker space commitment and will establish a $20 million program where universities can open up innovation spaces to the broader community.

“Labor is putting innovation in the spotlight. Along with Labor’s solar and renewable initiatives, cutting edge electric vehicle policy, and important social policies supporting our creative arts and the night economy, Labor will create the jobs of tomorrow and future proof NSW against the shocks of a rapidly changing global economy,” said Ms Catley.

BACKGROUND:

Labor will establish a Chief Entrepreneur to oversee innovation in NSW and within the NSW Government

The Chief Entrepreneur will head up Enterprise NSW, reporting to the premier and the Minister for Innovation

Labor will establish regional innovation districts, overseen by innovation councils, in regions like Western Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter.

Labor will establish a $20 million program for universities to open up innovative spaces like makerspaces to a broader community